Emirati Olympic shooting gold medalist Sheikh Ahmed bin Hasher al-Maktoum, a member of Dubai's ruling family, prepares for a training session at Nad al-Shiba in Dubai, July 27, 2008, just hours before leaving for China to defend his title in the double trap shooting event (MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images )

Members of the IOC, including Gerhard Heiberg, Princess Haya Bint al Hussein, Richard Carrion, Juan Antonio Samaranch and Carlos Vasquez Rana, were shown the Village’s Polyclinic, which provides the very latest medical support technology to the individual teams housed in the village.

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"I am honoured and excited to have been selected as a member of UAE Olympic team for the Beijing Olympiad and I will do my best to make my motherland proud," said Shaikha Maitha.
She will be competing in the 67kg category of the taekwondo event ...

Tomorrow the UAE flad will be risen in the Olympic Village. The UAE delegation will attened (those who are already there). Sheikh Saeed & Sheikh Ahmed along to a few others. No word yet if Sheikha Latifa has arrived yet. Sheikha Maith arrives tomorrow, hope in time.

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Princess Haya said that the Chinese have lived up to their promises as hosts.
"The athletes are all talking about the Village, the facilities, the welcome that they've had, and so far the atmosphere here is really super... - Full Article

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Jumping to ‘noble’ challenge

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She is the first Emirati woman to take part in an Olympic equestrian event and only the second Arab lady after Princess Haya bint al Hussein, who took part in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Sheikha Latifa qualified for the Games with a brilliant effort on the concluding day of the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship in March last year, clocking 47.72secs in the jump-off to book her ticket.

“I was under tremendous pressure in the first two rounds and it is always difficult to perform under pressure,” said Sheikha Latifa after qualifying. “It wasn’t an easy course, as we saw not many riders get through, but in the end all that matters is the qualifier for the Olympics and I have done it.”... - Full Article

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group and President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, will attend the Opening Ceremony in Beijing tomorrow... - Full Article

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Giving is Winning

The FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, took part in the latest boost for the successful “Giving is Winning” campaign at the Olympic Village in Beijing. Giving is Winning is a joint IOC-UNHCR (United Nations High ... - Full Article